Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-23
EVERY FACULTY. sUsPENDED.
Singular Loss of identity and Mys-
FERROUS Restoration.

A Norristown (Pa.) dispatch to the
New York Herald says: A most remark
able case Of loss of identity, recalling the
J story of Griffith Gaunt, is agitating So
cIety circles here. Surgeon General l..
w. Read was called In, and says the case
is the most peculiar in his wide range of
experience.
Six weeks ago a strange gentleman OF
| good address came here and rented the
store at No. 252 East Main street. He di-
vided the room Into two apartments by
means of curtains. The rear he furnished
| and occupied as living room; the front
he stocked with notions and TOYS and did
a modest but successful business. The
family from whom he rented the store
came in daily contact with their tenant,
but neither they nor any OF his patrons
ever noticed anything peculiar in his
manner or habits. He visited Philadel-
phia several times, repleuisbed his stock
and conducted his business carefully.
No mental ObliQuity was noticed until
yesterday morning, when he knocked at
the door leading from the store to the
dwelling part OF the building. Mrs. Earl,
who answered the knock, was surprised
~ hear him ask where am ~ She
tried to convince him of his whereabouts,
but failing her husband came to her as
sis lance. 70 him the tenant made the
following statement: II aw0ke about
O'Clock this morning after dream
ing that was buying and selling mer-
chasdise. L discovered that l was IN a
store, and was seized with the fear that
would be arrested as burglar. Now
want to know where am" de could
not be made to believe that he was IN
Norristown, or that he visited Philadel-
phia recently. He only answered; ~ was
In Philadelphia twenty-eight years ago,
but not since that time"
Doctor Read was tnen summoned, and
to nim the stranger made the following
statement: doctor, | have just awak-
ened from confused dream. l am in
formed that am 10 Norristown, Pa. and
that this is March IA. II this Is true the
past two months have been an entire
blank to me. Yesterday LETT my home
In Coventry, e. /. But that was the
morning OF Jan. IL. ! drove to Green's
station, on the New England railroad,
lett my horse and carriage In charge OF
friend, went TO Providence, drew 5000
from bank, called at several places, IN
cludiHg the store OF my nephew, Andrew
Harris, No. 12l Broad street, opposite
the Narragansett Hotel, and left there TO
20 to my sisters residence on Weetmln-
ster street. have a distinct recollec-
ton OF having passed the Adams express
office, corner of Dorrauce and Broad
streets, but have no recollection OF
single event since that time. l am a
min lister OF the Gospel, my name is Ansel
Bourne and am 81 years OF age"
DR.. Read left him in the care OF Mr..
Earps family, with instructions to par
take copiously Of food. lie then tele-
graphed A ndrew Harris: ado you know
Ansel Bourne? Please answer" and re-
ceived the following reply: HE IL my
uncle. Wire me where he Is and II we'll.
Write DartlCulArRv
Mr. Bourne is rapidly regaiDing his
faculties. and is anxiously awaiting the
arrival OF relatives, when he will dispose
OF his stock OF notions and toys and re-
turn home. He Is man OF good address,
fine appearance and an interesting talker.
DIR. Read is completely mystifled thus
far ana viii venture no opinion on tho
case.